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New Attraction

Historic Madison Inc. dedicates its new Dr. Hutchings Museum

Researchers spent four years
preparing museum for public

(May 2017) – Historic Madison Inc. officials and guests on April 21 gathered in Madison, Ind., to dedicate the opening of the new Hutchings Museum and the continued restoration of the Dr. Hutchings Office. The work has been a long time in the making.
The office and all the family’s belongings therein were donated to HMI in 1968 by Mrs. Pal Kelemen, the last of the Hutchings family descendants. The late HMI founder John Windle and then former Executive Director John Galvin saw to it the property was restored, upgraded and interpreted as a unique medical history museum.

Photo by John Sheckler

Historic Madison Inc. Executive Director John Staicer (second from left) prepares to cut the ribbon April 21. He is accompanied by (from left) former Executive Director John Galvin and HMI board members Dave Dionne and Jill Wiest.

In 1999, the HMI board under Galvin’s leadership negotiated saving and moving the Hutchings museum building from West Street to its current location on Third Street with the plans of one day using it to showcase the amazing Hutchings family collection.
Over the past four years, the HMI staff, led by local preservationist David Cart and HMI staff member Rhonda Deeg, has worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality.
Along the way, Madison resident Joe Carr volunteered to organize and research the Hutchings archives. Other volunteers, including Meg Perry and Happy Smith, contributed technical expertise to help us understand the significance of Dr. Hutchings medical writings and equipment. Their research led to the exhibits you see today in the museum as well as to the re-creation of Dr. Hutchings dispensary.
“On behalf of the board of directors of Historic Madison Inc., I am proud to dedicate and open the new museum and the dispensary to the public,” HMI Executive Director John Staicer said in a release. “May it increase the understanding of the Hutchings family’s contribution to local, state and national history.”

Photo by John Sheckler

Former HMI Executive Director John Galvin examines one of the new displays of medical equipment at the newly opened Dr. Hutchings Museum in Madison, Ind.

HMI, a not for profit historic preservation organization, has played a key role in the preservation, restoration, education and development of Madison’s National Historic Landmark District.

The organization owns and operates 15 historic properties. Properties opened for the 2017 regular tours (1-4:30 p.m. Friday-Monday) on April 22 and include the Jeremiah Sullivan House; Dr. William D. Hutchings’ Office & Museum; Francis Costigan House; Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum. The Windle Auditorium and St. Michaels the Archangel are open by appointment only. The Shrewsbury-Windle House is currently undergoing rehabilitation. Re-opening date and admission fees are to be announced at a later date.

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